2022 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2022 Jeep Compass, despite receiving some exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, retained much of its familiar look since its 2017 redesign. It resembled a smaller version of the Grand Cherokee, with our High Altitude test vehicle featuring attractive 19-inch multi-spoke wheels that matched its upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats, enhancing its premium SUV appeal. The model lineup ranged from the base Sport trim to the High Altitude, with prices starting at $26,020 and reaching $35,085, excluding destination charges. Our test vehicle, equipped with all-wheel drive and various option packages, had an MSRP of $40,470.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Aviator presented itself as a sophisticated three-row, midsize SUV with a modern Lincoln face. However, the wheel designs on our Black Label Grand Touring model were considered too plain, detracting from its high price tag. The Aviator's exterior lighting sequence and electric door handles added a touch of elegance, while the interior boasted a luxurious yet busy design with patterned metal trim, chrome accents, and rich caramel-hued leather seats. Despite some cheap-looking chrome detailing, the materials were mostly high-end, contributing to a sense of opulence. The Aviator's key fob, however, felt too inexpensive for a vehicle of its class, making a case for using the Phone As A Key digital key technology instead.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Dubbed the "Tigershark," this engine lacked the punch of a turbocharger, making it feel sluggish, especially at higher altitudes. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Compass struggled with smooth acceleration, and its automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage. The Jeep Selec-Terrain system offered various driving modes, and the Active Drive AWD system provided decent off-road capability. However, the Compass's driving dynamics needed improvement, with a bouncy ride and excessive lateral motion on uneven surfaces. Fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined, but our testing yielded 23.8 mpg.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, delivered an impressive 494 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 630 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. It offered 21 miles of electric driving range and averaged 23 mpg in hybrid mode. The Aviator's powertrain was powerful but sometimes unpredictable, with inconsistent acceleration and braking behavior. The Dynamic Handling Package with adaptive-damping suspension helped manage the Aviator's added weight, providing a smooth and quiet ride. While the Aviator excelled in comfort and isolation, it lacked the fun-to-drive factor, even in the Excite driving mode. The Aviator was better suited for relaxed highway cruising rather than spirited driving.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered a spacious interior for four adults and their luggage, with premium features like eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The dual-pane panoramic sunroof and redesigned dashboard added to the sense of sophistication. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, surpassing the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated seats, and massaging 30-way Perfect Position front seats. However, the third-row seat was cramped and not suitable for adults, with limited kneeroom and legroom. Cargo space was limited to 18.3 cubic feet with the third row in use, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, and a maximum of 77.7 cubic feet.

The 2022 Jeep Compass featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was faster and more responsive than its predecessor. It offered an 8.4-inch or optional 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a range of connected services. The voice recognition system was generally accurate, though it struggled with certain requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed but fell short of the best in the industry.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. However, it ran on the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition and point-of-interest searches. The Aviator featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system, wireless charging, and Phone As A Key technology. The digital instrumentation and head-up display were well-executed, and parking sensors and a surround-view camera system aided in parking.

The 2022 Jeep Compass received safety upgrades, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Highway Assist was set to be added later in the model year. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems had some issues, and the forward-collision warning system produced false positives. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator featured Co-Pilot360 driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The system performed well on highways but struggled in dense traffic. The steering wheel controls were unnecessarily complicated. The standard Aviator received a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, but the Grand Touring model had not been rated.